Full Breakdown
Heavy Rain Triggers Landslides and Flooding Across Central Japan, Disrupting Mount Fuji Access
9/9/2026, 10:00:32 PM
Mount Fuji Starting Point Landslide on September 9
On September 9, a landslide struck one of the main trailheads for climbers on Japan’s Mount Fuji, according to local broadcaster TBS. The slide covered three vehicles but, as reported, no injuries or fatalities were recorded. The incident followed overnight heavy rain that inundated large parts of central Japan, a condition described by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Concurrent Landslides and Flooding in Shizuoka, Aichi and Gifu
The same storm system produced a separate landslide in the town of Kawanehon, Shizuoka Prefecture, on September 8. Local authorities said a worker left unconscious by the slide later died. Kyodo News also noted that two climbers were found unconscious on Mount Fuji trails early on September 9, though police have not linked their condition to the landslide. In the neighboring prefectures of Aichi and Gifu, torrential rain on September 8 caused flooding that injured 41 people, according to Kyodo.
Official Weather and Rescue Responses
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that heavy rain would continue through September 9, affecting areas from northeastern to western Japan. Shizuoka prefectural police dispatched a mountain-rescue team to the Fuji site, and rescue crews were also mobilized in Kawanehon. Public broadcaster NHK reported that Nagoya, Aichi’s capital, recorded a record hourly rainfall of 104.5 mm on September 8, underscoring the intensity of the event.
Transportation Disruptions and Public Impact
The Fuji Subaru Line, a primary access road to Mount Fuji, was closed after the landslide, halting vehicle traffic to the mountain’s summit. In Nagoya, the extreme precipitation disrupted rail services, creating long queues of stranded commuters at central stations, as NHK observed.
Key Figures and Statistics
- Three vehicles buried by the Fuji landslide (TBS).
- One worker dead in Kawanehon (local authorities).
- 41 injuries in Aichi and Gifu (Kyodo).
- Record 104.5 mm rainfall in one hour in Nagoya (NHK).
- No casualties reported from the Fuji landslide itself.
